100 Best Horse Books of All Time
We've researched and ranked the best horse books in the world, based on recommendations from world experts, sales data, and millions of reader ratings. Learn more
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Audrey PennI have to go with Black Beauty. It’s very tough for me to read, because of the cruelty. I can’t stand cruelty. I don’t understand it, I will never understand it. Never in a million years. But if you want to take my illness and you want to equate it with anything, you can equate it with Black Beauty. (Source)
In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey's courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer's son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again? less
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Vanessa KingA beautiful and emotional story of love, resilience and meaning. (Source)
This first classic story of the Black Stallion, full of action, excitement, and suspense, has set the pace for horse stories for sixty years . . . and continues to leave its rivals in the dust. less
But Paul and Maureen want the beautiful wild mare for their very own.
"I'm going to capture her myself," says Paul.
When Paul finally overtakes the Phantom, he makes a surprising discovery. Running at her side is a brand-new, silvery-gray colt - Misty! less
Seabiscuit was one of the most electrifying and popular attractions in sports history and the single biggest newsmaker in the world in 1938, receiving more coverage than FDR, Hitler, or Mussolini. But his success was a surprise to the racing establishment, which had written off the crooked-legged racehorse with the sad tail. Three men changed Seabiscuit’s fortunes:
Charles Howard was a onetime bicycle repairman who introduced the automobile... more
Harry de Leyer first saw the horse he would name Snowman on a truck bound for the slaughterhouse. The recent Dutch immigrant recognized the spark in the eye of the beaten-up nag and bought him for eighty dollars. On Harry’s modest farm on Long Island, he ultimately taught Snowman how to fly. Here is the dramatic and inspiring rise to stardom of an unlikely duo. One show at a time, against extraordinary odds and some of the most expensive thoroughbreds alive, the pair climbed to the very top of the sport of show jumping. Their story... more
Although he was as swift as the desert winds, Sham's proud pedigree would be scorned all his life by cruel masters and owners.
This is the classic story of Sham and his friend, the stable boy Agba. Their adventures take them from the sands of the Sahara to the royal courts of France and, finally, to the green pastures and stately homes of England.
For... more
At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.
Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is... more
Over the course of one magical summer, both will learn the meaning of responsibility, courage, and, ultimately, friendship. less
In the midst of the storm, Misty-the famous mare of Chincoteague-is about to give birth. Paul and Maureen are frantic with worry as the storm rages on... will Misty and her colt survive?
This is the thrilling story of the hurricane that destroyed the wild herds of Assateague, and how strength and love helped rebuild them. less
Don't have time to read the top Horse books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
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THE HORSE WHISPERER
He is the stuff of legend. His voice can calm wild horses and his touch heal broken spirits. For secrets uttered softly into pricked and troubled ears, such men were once called Whisperers. Now Tom Booker, the inheritor of this ancient gift,... more
In 1791 a Vermont schoolmaster by the name of Justin Morgan comes home with a two-year-old colt named Little Bub. Taken as payment for an outstanding debt, the little colt doesn't seem like he is worth much, but the kindly teacher asks one of his students, Joel Goss, to train him. Joel knows the horse has great potential, and soon... more
Movie men have come to Chincoteague to film the annual Pony Penning, and Paul and Maureen are thrilled—until they learn that the producers want to buy their beloved Misty. Reluctantly, they agree to sell in order to send their uncle to college. But how will they ever fill the lonely place that Misty leaves behind?
Finding an orphaned colt helps Paul and Maureen deal with their loss, and they soon discover that little... more
An elegant and often heartbreaking tale filled with animal characters as... more
Steve Duncan had a haunting vision of finding a magnificent red stallion... and finally discovered him in a hidden island paradise. But the giant horse was wild and unapproachable. Then Steve saved Flame from a horrible death, and a miraculous friendship began - changing both their lives forever. . . .
This Island Stallion story is part of Walter Farley's famous Black Stallion series, which has long thrilled horse lovers of all ages. Full of action, excitement, and suspense, the books have sold more than twelve million copies... more
Don't have time to read the top Horse books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
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Richly atmospheric of rural life in England between the World Wars, National Velvet has enchanted generations of readers since its 1935 debut. The heroine's... more
The feeling for horses, horse breeding and training, and horse racing is masterfully handled. Thrilling, highly recommended."--(starred) "School Library Journal. less
Set against the thrilling and colorful world of Thoroughbred horses, Black Gold is the true story of this... more
How did the Morgan horse get its name?
What are the differences between a Belgian and a Clydesdale?
Why are the Byerly Turk, Darley Arabian, and Godolphin Arabian so important?
Find the answers to these and many other intriguing questions in Marguerite Henry’s Album of Horses. The award-winning author of Misty of Chincoteague and King of the Wind describes in vivid detail the hardworking Shire, the elegant Lipizzan, the... more
In 1952, Walter Farley crated Black Minx, the first daughter of the famous Black Stallion. At the time, only one filly had ever won the Kentucky Derby in its seventy-seven-year history. In this classic racing story, Black minx just might be up to the challenge. less
The true story of Wild Horse Annie's crusade to save the mustangs is inspiring. Readers will cheer her on, all the way to the White House, in her struggle to preserve these beautiful creatures from extinction. less
“It has always been my contention that working with horses is, or at least should be, a delicate balancing act between finding how much or how little direction it will take to help the horse we are working with understand whatever it is we are trying to teach. Too little direction and our efforts might become ineffective. Too much direction and... more
But suddenly Jimmy’s health takes a bad turn, and Tom must pick up Bonfire’s reins himself. The horse is a natural, but Tom doesn’t know the first thing about harness racing. And he’d better learn fast … less
Don't have time to read the top Horse books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
As the Russians closed in on Hitler from the east and the Allies attacked from the west, American soldiers discovered a secret Nazi effort to engineer a master race of the finest purebred horses. With the support of U.S. general George S. Patton, a passionate equestrian, the Americans planned an audacious mission to kidnap these beautiful animals and smuggle them into safe territory—assisted by a... more
A young boy named Hans dreams of one day working with the famed stallions of Lipizza. But coming from a family of bakers, Hans is discouraged from ever becoming a rider. That is, until the day he is invited to watch the extraordinary Ballet of Lipizzaners -- from the Imperial Box! -- and his life is changed forever.
Marguerite Henry artfully weaves authentic details about the skillful training of both horse and rider, as she unfolds... more
But that′s just the beginning. When Sam suddenly finds the fate of a mysterious mustang - who may or may not be the missing Blackie - resting in her hands, she has to learn to be a real... more
“Everyone loves a champion. And when the champion is a gallant horse, when his story is told by a champion writer of horse stories, every reader is a winner.”—The New York Times less
Walt Disney Studios is scheduled to release the still untitled movie based on the book in October... more
Brighty's adventures have delighted generations of readers, and he has become the symbol of a joyous way of life. Some people say that you can even see his spirit roving the canyon on moonlit... more
Amy hasn't seen Spartan since the accident - that stormy night that changed their lives forever. Now Spartan is coming to Heartland. He's not the same horse. He's filled with an anger that seems directed at Amy. At the sight of her, he lashes out - teeth bared, hooves flailing. Amy has so much healing to do on her own, it seems she's the... more
Unlike traditional teachers, Sally Swift does not believe in forced training techniques that cause stiff bodies and tense riding. Instead, through the use of vivid, unusual, and highly creative images that transcend mechanics ("Pretend... more
But all he ever does is practice. He's still too young and inexperienced to drive in a real race. Only he knows he's ready for the big league. If people would give him a chance, then they would know it, too.
Gib's chance comes in a filly named Rosalind. Now Gib can prove that he's man enough to train a champion. But does he really have what it takes? Can he and Rosalind go all the way to win the Hambletonian, the greatest race of all? less
Don't have time to read the top Horse books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
Pegasus is all Amy has left of her past, but he's steadily growing weaker. Amy's trying to care for him and hold Heartland together. She's trying to do just what her mother would have done, but everything is beginning to unravel. It will take all Amy's courage to let go of her mother's legacy, but it is the only way she will break free and... more
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Meg RosoffA book that explores that whole subject of finding out where you belong in the world, which is not a search that starts and ends between 18 and 21. (Source)
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Devon SawaThis is the best book I’ve ever read. https://t.co/AUJLuRAadm (Source)
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Daniel ButtnerCormac McCarthy is one of my favorite authors, specifically The Border Trilogy. (Source)
When Amy finds out her sister, Lou, is trying to get in touch with their estranged father, she doesn't know how to feel. She isn't willing to let her father into her life again. Forcing herself to forget about it, Amy focuses her attention on the new horse, Melody. But when complications develop with Melody's unborn foal, it takes nothing... more
Don't have time to read the top Horse books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
Ruffian: Burning from the Start is the story of this exceptional filly, a horse so dominating, so powerful, that writer Walter Farley once suggested she was more like the... more
When Alec Ramsay saw the three handsome foreign-born colts, he couldn't believe his eyes. The colts were almost exact models of the Black Stallion! They must have had the same sire, but the official Arabian records said the Black's sire was dead. Could he be alive? The possibility was enough to lure Alec overseas... into a carefully prepared trap! less
In the winter of 1917, a big-boned young woman shows up at George Bliss's doorstep. She's looking for a job breaking horses, and he hires her on. Many of his regular hands are off fighting the war, and he glimpses, beneath her showy rodeo garb, a shy but strong-willed girl with a serious knowledge of horses.
So begins the irresistible tale of nineteen-year-old Martha Lessen, a female horse whisperer trying to make a go... more
Amy knows that Ty is important to Heartland - and to her. Ty is the only other person who truly understands the meaning of Heartland, who is as dedicated to rescuing and curing horses as she is. But their friendship is thrown off balance when Ben, the new stable hand, arrives. And by the time Amy realizes she's pushed Ty away, he may have... more
Can Twilight, whose ancestors were wild ponies living on an untamed island, do it? Can she compute against the best horses in the world...and win? less
Sasha is determined to prove that she belongs at Canterwood. Will she rise to the occasion and make the advanced riding team by the end of her first semester? Or will the pressure send Sasha packing? less
Don't have time to read the top Horse books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
"Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul "is filled with inspiring stories of rescue and rehabilitation, heartbreaking losses, dedication and commitment,... more
A puzzling photograph, a box filled with faded toy horses, and a single fractured memory are all that Maya has left of her mother. In Grandmother house, she lives like a captive, tethered by rules... until a shocking event changes everything. A world away, in the rugged Wyoming wilderness, a wild mustang called Artemisia runs free, belonging only to the stars. In a land where mountain lions pose an ever-present threat, she must vigilantly defend... more
Amy's father is scheduled to visit Heartland. Amy hasn't seen him since he abruptly left the family following his debilitating accident. Eleven years and countless tragedies later, Amy doesn't know how she feels about him. She wonders if he could even be her father after having been absent for so many years. But his arrival affects Amy in a way she had not anticipated. She sees so...
Thirteen-year-old Jasmine is found guilty of assaulting Hugh Robicheaux, the owner of the horse farm where she works. But she's still determined to prove that Robicheaux killed Whirlwind, the mare she loved. Jas is sure that Shadow Horse, a scrawny brown gelding she rescues at a horse auction, is the key to the mystery—but just how is Shadow Horse connected to Whirlwind?
Deftly written by a teacher and equestrian who has authored more than sixty books, this heartwarming and... more
A horse trainer and equine-facilitated therapy practitioner, Kohanov first began exploring the horse human connection in the early 1990s. When her black mare, Rasa, became lame, Kohanov was plagued by a series of sinister dreams and premonitions. Finally, prompted... more
Amy has never had such a difficult time reaching a horse. Since the first day Gallant Prince arrived at Heartland, he's stayed at the back of his stall, pacing anxiously. Amy knows the fear of the stable fire blazes behind Prince's threats, his bared teeth and haunted eyes. But she doesn't know how she can help a horse that has taken refuge... more
Don't have time to read the top Horse books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
When Amy meets Daniel, she is stunned by his defensive nature. She can't figure out how someone with so much love for his horse could be so cold to everyone else. But as Amy gets to know Daniel, she begins to understand him. She respects that he won't give in to the pageantry of the elite show circuit - and that he doesn't care what others say about his horse. Daniel rides Amber like it's the two...
The heartwarming true story of a blind horse named Joey.
At the height of his show career, this beautiful Appaloosa's majestic stature, strength, and willingness to work made him the perfect partner. But when an injury cost Joey his show career, he moved from one owner to the next, ultimately experiencing severe abuse and neglect. A rescue group found Joey nearly dead from starvation--and blind.
Then he came to Hope Reins--a ranch dedicated to helping hurting kids who had been abused, emotionally wounded, or... more
Amy is only 15, but she inherited countless responsibilities when her mother died. Most of all, she is expected to fill her mother's role as the horse healer at Heartland. Amy is talented, but still a novice. She can't admit she needs time to grow and understand.
When she can't cure Mercury, and she and Ty argue about his treatment, she decides to visit a Native American...
Billy was a little boy who “loved horses more than anything else in the world.” Imagine how happy he was when he got his very own pony for his birthday! From that day on, Billy was seldom seen without his new friend, Blaze.
Riding through fields and woods, Billy and Blaze learned to trust and understand one another—and to jump over fences and fallen trees with ease. They were a great team, but were they good enough to win the gleaming silver cup at the Mason Horse... more
Don't have time to read the top Horse books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
Ten-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him.
So begins a new adventure of Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. As Ada teaches herself to... more
Brad Townsend, the son of Wonder's owner, insists on working Wonder one icy winter day. As Ashleigh and Charlie watch in horror, Brad gallops Wonder too fast, and the filly stumbles on the frozen track badly injuring her shoulder.
After... more
The bond between horse and caretaker does not happen overnight. It hangs by a fine thread of trust, which the author earns with endless patience and a full... more
Haunting, exquisite Rosalind Maybrick, wife of a billionaire owner, one day can't quite decide what it is she wants, and discovers too late that her whole life is transformed . . . Twenty-year-old Tiffany Morse, stuck in her job at Wal-Mart, prays,... more
But then he comes across a new enemy, one that walks on two legs and makes funny sounds. Smoky can't beat this enemy like he has all the others. But does he really want to beat it? Or could giving up some of his freedom mean getting...
more--Michael Korda, author of Horse People
Most of us know the legend of Secretariat, the tall, handsome chestnut racehorse whose string of honors runs long and rich: the only two-year-old ever to win Horse of the Year, in 1972; winner in 1973 of the Triple Crown, his times in all three races still unsurpassed; featured on the cover of Time, Newsweek, and Sports... more
But that′s just the beginning. When Sam suddenly finds the fate of a mysterious mustang who may or may not be the missing Blackie resting in her hands, she has to learn to be a real... more
Ashleigh Griffen is thrilled when the owner of the horse farm where she lives puts her favorite horse, Wonder, into training as a Thoroughbred racer. Ashleigh has spent the past year turning the sickly filly into a beautiful, healthy yearling.
Ashleigh knows Wonder could be great, but Wonder dislikes her harsh new trainer. Soon she's bucking and disobeying all his commands. Ashleigh is heartbroken when the trainer says Wonder is untrainable... useless.
Even worse, Wonder doesn't seem to know Ashleigh anymore. One... more
Don't have time to read the top Horse books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
Anxiety rules Annemarie Zimmer’s days—the fear that her relationship with the man she loves is growing stagnant; the fear that equestrian daughter Eva’s dreams of Olympic glory will carry her far away from her mother . . . and into harm’s way. For five months, Annemarie has struggled to make peace with her past. But if she cannot let go, the personal battles she has won and the heights she has achieved will have all been for naught.
It is a time of change at Maple Brook Horse Farm, when loves must be... more
Bill is a lucid, rational, and powerful speaker whose intent is to inform and to empower his audience. Standing room only is normal. His presentation and information transcend partisan affiliations as he clearly addresses issues... more
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Susan Suehr@dulce812 Read that book too. Amazing & so sad they killed him. (Source)
"Those old cows knew trouble was coming before we did." So begins the story of Lily Casey Smith, Jeannette Walls's no nonsense, resourceful, and spectacularly compelling grandmother. By age six, Lily was helping her father break horses. At fifteen, she left home to teach in a frontier town -- riding five hundred miles on her pony,... more
Born in 1917, Man o' War grew from a rebellious youngster into perhaps the greatest racehorse of all time. He set such astonishing speed records that The New York Times called him a "Speed Miracle." Often he won with so much energy in reserve that experts wondered how much faster he could have gone. Over the years,...
In the third book of the series Dark Sunshine, Sam rescues an abused horse from rustlers, but needs the Phantom′s help in convincing the young mare to trust her.
Ages 10+ less
A visual identity key helps you recognize different... more
What animal is the most fasci-neigh-ting? A horse, of course! Horse Life: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Riding Horses for Kids teaches kids 8 to 12 all the basics of equine care―from anatomy to housing to bathing to feeding. You’ll find plenty of knowledge to harness, whether you’re just starting out or already have a horse of your own!
Brush up on grooming techniques and learn about all the necessary gear, from halters to horseshoes. The illustrations in this essential book of horses for kids will... more
When Ashley Grant shows up uninvited at Heartland, Amy is suspicious. Ashley has been anything but nice in the past, and now she is asking for a favor. She wants Amy to help train Bright Magic, a showy European jumper recently purchased by Ashley's mom. Despite Amy's cloudy relationship with the Grants, she accepts the challenge, knowing... more
The result? Time with your horse will be full of what horse... more
Don't have time to read the top Horse books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.